25.2km +1611m -1375m
Rod was walking slower than I needed to be going, so I left him behind and pressed on up Mount Clear.
The day has cleared up, but there’s more weather on the way later.
I’m about to pass over or around the two King Billy mountains. That’s where the Button Man makes his camp. They say he gets his name from the coat buttons and ear piercing expanders he makes for himself from deer bone or antlers. They say his camp has good views of all approaching roads, and he lives up there most of the year and just goes into Mansfield for supplies. They say he takes delight in silently stalking hunters in the area, that he can stealth the best of them. They say he’ll check your camp out while you sleep, and if he thinks you’re being respectful he’ll leave you be, but if he thinks you’re being a cunt he’ll steal some of your food.
Fuck it, I’ll go over the top of them. I didn’t come here to fuck spiders, after all.
Well, I didn’t see the Button Man. But did he see me?
You can see the thunder storm passing to the south, dumping rain as it goes. Oddly, this morning’s rain passed to the north of us and we just caught the tail.
They both went through the same place. I threaded the eye of the needle.
Obligatory photo of the Crosscut Saw through Hell’s Window. The Crosscut Saw is a challenge for tomorrow.
Right at the junction where the trail over Mount Magdela meets the one that sidles it, I ran into Rod again. The timing was uncanny. My mountaineering had given him time to catch up. He’s coming to the hut on the promise of a fresh baked muffin.
Then at the top of Mount Howitt we ran into Matt again. He’d pressed on yesterday to Chester’s Yards, empty on water and probably very dehydrated. He didn’t start walking today until late, which is how we were able to catch him. We all are of a mind to head for the hut, even though the forecast has cleared up for the night.
Crosscut Saw and the twin horns of The Viking. I’ll be going over one tomorrow and the other the next day.
Vmumble Gmumble Hut is a fascinating bit of architecture. I believe it was built in the 70s. Sleeping in there isn’t really on the cards, since there isn’t a heap of room and there’s already a group of ten or so there having dinner outside when we arrive. We have a noose around then decide to set up in the lower campground.
It was a huge day. Rod was happy to get his muffin, even if it did fall apart. I remembered the baking powder this time. I’ve got to leg it over the next few days if I’m going to make Hotham in three. If not, I’ll have to reschedule my accommodation again and stretch my food out.
The solar panel is keeping me in just enough power to do what I need with taking photos and videos, gps navigation and staying in contact with home.
I figured out that I’m now about a quarter of the way through. My feet ache.
